Francis was asked about climate change and the spate of hurricanes, including Irma, have pummelled the US, Mexico and the Caribbean recent days.

He called on world leaders to take the necessary decisions to curb heat-trapping emissions blamed for the warming of the Earth.

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Pope Francis (pictured) has sharply criticised climate change doubters, saying history will judge those who failed to take action. He called on world leader to take the necessary decisions to curb heat-trapping emissions blamed for the warming of the Earth

THE POPE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Pope Francis has made caring for the environment a hallmark of his papacy.

He strongly backed the 2015 Paris agreement on reducing global warming, from which the United States withdrew this year.

Ahead of the Paris summit in 2015, Francis wrote a major encyclical, or papal letter, on the care of the environment which backed the gradual elimination of fossil fuels to stem global warming.

He has also written about how the poor in particular are most harmed when multinationals move into exploit natural resources.

The pope made the comments as his charter plane left Colombia on Sunday and flew over some of the devastated areas.

Francis said scientists have also clearly charted what needed to be done to reverse course on global warming and said individuals and politicians had a 'moral responsibility' to do their part.

'These aren't opinions pulled out of thin air. They are very clear.

'Then they (leaders) decide and history will judge those decisions,' he added.

During his visit to Colombia, Francis spoke out frequently about the need to preserve the country's rich biodiversity from over development and exploitation.

For those who have denied climate change, or delayed actions to counter it, he responded with an Old Testament saying: 'Man is stupid.'

'When you don't want to see, you don't see,' he added.

Pope Francis said the recent spate of hurricanes should prompt people to understand that humanity will 'go down' if it does not address climate change and history will judge those who deny the science on its causes.

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'If we don't turn back, we will go down,' Francis told reporters.

Francis spoke as hurricane Irma pounded central Florida as it carved through the state with high winds, storm surges and torrential rains that left millions without power, ripped roofs off homes and flooded city streets.

Francis was asked about recent hurricanes, including Irma and Harvey, and if political leaders who do not want to work with other countries to stem global warming should be held morally responsible for future effects on the planet.

'You can see the effects of climate change and scientists have clearly said what path we have to follow,' he said, referring to a consensus by scientists that global warming is caused by human activity such as fossil fuels.

Francis was asked about climate change and the spate of hurricanes that have pummelled the US, Mexico and the Caribbean recent days. This image show torrential rains and floodwater in Charleston yesterday

'All of us have a responsibility, all of us, small or large, a moral responsibility.'

'We have to take it seriously. We can't joke about it.

'Each person has their own. Even politicians have their own.'

Francis has made caring for the environment a hallmark of his papacy.

He strongly backed the 2015 Paris agreement on reducing global warming, from which the United States withdrew this year.

Ahead of the Paris summit in 2015, Francis wrote a major encyclical, or papal letter, on the care of the environment which backed the gradual elimination of fossil fuels to stem global warming.

He has also written about how the poor in particular are most harmed when multinationals move into exploit natural resources.